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Mentoring Nurses in Familial Cancer Risk Assessment and Counseling: Lessons Learned From a Formative Evaluation

  • Original Research
  • Published:
Journal of Genetic Counseling

Abstract

Background. As familial cancer genetic services moves into community practice increased numbers of trained health professionals are needed to counsel individuals seeking cancer risk information. Nurses have been targeted to provide cancer risk assessment and counseling. To help prepare nurses for this role, a 5-day training in familial cancer risk assessment and counseling followed by a long-distance mentorship to support continued skill development in the work environment was conducted by Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, PA. Methods. Four cohorts (N = 41) have completed the training and were randomized to either an immediate or delayed mentorship. A formative evaluation assessed the nurse’s ability to consult with other genetic health professionals and build self-efficacy in counseling skills via responses to questionnaire. A post-mentorship interview evaluated the usefulness, timing and length of the mentorship. Results. For both groups, there was a statistically significant improvement in self-efficacy for all skills from baseline to 6 months and an increased number of nurses consulting with genetic health professionals. All the nurses reported the value of the mentorship and those with less cancer risk counseling experience prior to the training needed support and resources for further skill and program development. Lessons learned from this formative evaluation are provided.

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Acknowledgments

This training and mentoring program was supported with funds from R25 CA066061: (2002–2007), National Cancer Institute. Ropka: National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, K07 CA088989.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Fox Chase Cancer Center, 333 Cottman Avenue, Philadelphia, PA, 19111, USA

    Agnes Masny, Mary E. Ropka, Candace Peterson, Dominique Fetzer & Mary B. Daly

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  1. Agnes Masny
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  2. Mary E. Ropka
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  3. Candace Peterson
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  4. Dominique Fetzer
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  5. Mary B. Daly
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Correspondence to Agnes Masny.

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Masny, A., Ropka, M.E., Peterson, C. et al. Mentoring Nurses in Familial Cancer Risk Assessment and Counseling: Lessons Learned From a Formative Evaluation. J Genet Counsel 17, 196–207 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10897-007-9140-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10897-007-9140-1

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